Eph 6

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's

schemes. 12 For our struggle is

not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

13 Therefore put on the full armor of God,

so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

“A Roaring lion”

1 Peter 5

8 Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for

someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

“Steal, kill and destroy”

John 10

10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

We really do need to understand that we are in a battle!

Eph 6

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

struggle or wrestle

Who is this battle against?

Not against flesh and blood…

Ephesians 2

1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world

and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.

Eph 6

12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

1. Rulers αρχη

1. Rulers αρχη

2. Authorities εξουσια

1. Rulers αρχη

2. Authorities εξουσια

3. The Powers of this Dark World κοσμοκρατωρ

1. Rulers αρχη

2. Authorities εξουσια

3. The Powers of this Dark World κοσμοκρατωρ

4. Spiritual forces of Evil in the heavenly realms

Observations

• A variety

• Plural

• Organized

• Personal - not just a ‘force”

• Powerful

• Invisible

The devil’s Schemes

Eph 6

11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can

take your stand against the devil's schemes.

2 Corinthians 2

…11 in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.

2 Cor 11v14

14 And no wonder, for Satan himself

masquerades as an angel of light.

Eph 6

13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

What is the “day of evil”?

Be Strong in the Lord!

Eph 6

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his

mighty power.11 Put on the full armor of God

so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.

But it’s not automatic – We must put on the Full Armour of God

1. A Solid Footing

11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can

take your stand against the devil's

schemes…14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and

with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

2. Truth

14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

3. Righteousness

14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled

around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

1 John 5

18 We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the one who was born of God

keeps him safe, and the evil one cannot harm him. 19 We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.

James 1

13 When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and

sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

4. Faith

16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the

flaming arrows of the evil one.

5. Your Helmet

17 Take the helmet of salvation and the

sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Rm 16

20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Luke 4

3 The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread." 4 Jesus

answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone.'"

6 And he said to him, "I will give you all their authority and splendor, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. 7 So if you worship me, it will all be yours." 8 Jesus

answered, "It is written: 'Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.'"

9 The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down from here. 10 For it is written: "'He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully; 11 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot

against a stone.'" 12 Jesus answered, "It says: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'"

6. The Sword = God’s Word

Do you really know God’s Word?

18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this

in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. 19 Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains.

7. Prayer in the Spirit

Mt 6

9 "This, then, is how you should pray: "'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today our daily bread. 12 Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 3 And lead us not into

temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.'

How are you doing in your struggle against evil?

How are you doing in your struggle against evil?

• Firm footing

• Truth

• Righteousness

• Faith

• Helmet

• The Word Of God

• Prayer